Unlocking Potential: Mindful Practices in the Classroom with Rob Owen
In today’s fast-paced educational landscape, where the pressures of academic achievement and standardized testing often overshadow holistic learning, it’s crucial to explore practices that nurture both teachers and students. In this enlightening discussion with Rob Owen, a seasoned educator, school principal, author, and coach, we delve into the transformative power of mindfulness and martial arts in education. Rob’s journey from struggling student to a leader in educational innovation is not only inspiring but also offers actionable insights for creating calmer and more effective learning environments.
Rob Owen: From Struggle to Inspiration
Rob Owen’s story is one of resilience and insight. Over his 20-year career as a school principal and educator, he has witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of stress and burnout on teachers and students alike. This led him to incorporate Tai Chi and Qi Gong—practices that have been central to his healing journey after a life-changing car accident at 17—into his personal and professional life. Through his program, Move2Focus, Rob shares these ancient practices to help educators and students, especially those with ADHD and anxiety, find calm and focus.
Understanding ADHD and the Path to Mindfulness
Rob’s engagement with ADHD is deeply personal. He vividly recalls his school years as challenging, marked by struggles to remain engaged in traditional educational settings. It wasn’t until later in life that he realized the importance of relating content to learners in a way that acknowledges their unique strengths. Rob’s experiences underscore the importance of engagement and relevance in learning, an ethos he carries into his teaching and coaching.
Martial Arts and Personal Growth
Martial arts have been a cornerstone of Rob’s personal development, aiding him in refining his energies and focusing his mind. Starting with a fascination for Bruce Lee and Shaolin Kung Fu, these practices taught him discipline and offered a pathway to what he describes as a ‘flow state’—a mental state where one is fully immersed and focused on the task at hand. This philosophy of movement and mindfulness extends beyond personal growth and into educational practices in classrooms.
The Classroom Revolution: Engagement through Mindful Movement
Rob advocates for the integration of mindful movement practices in education. By introducing Tai Chi and Qi Gong into the classroom, he has observed firsthand the calming effect these exercises have on students, particularly those with ADHD. He emphasizes the need for teachers to develop a morning practice—a simple yet powerful way to center themselves before engaging with students. These practices prepare educators to handle the dynamic energy of a classroom, setting a positive example for students.
The Move2Focus Program
Rob Owen’s Move2Focus program is designed to equip educators with tools to manage stress and enhance their teaching practice. Key to this approach is the emphasis on morning practices and mindful transitions. By fostering an environment where students are taught to regulate their own emotions and focus, Rob believes education can shift towards a more holistic model that values different intelligences and learning styles.
Redefining Educational Success
The conversation with Rob Owen highlights the need for a paradigm shift in education—a move towards recognizing and nurturing multiple forms of intelligence. His work shows that by integrating traditional practices like Tai Chi and Qi Gong, educators can create more inclusive and effective learning environments. These techniques not only support academic focus but also contribute to emotional balance and overall well-being.
For educators looking to implement these strategies, further resources and information about Rob Owen’s programs are available through Move2Focus and his personal coaching services. As we continue to explore innovative educational practices, it’s clear that nurturing the whole student—mind, body, and spirit—is key to future success in schooling.
In this episode of the ADHD Goals Podcast, host Laurence speaks with Rob Owen, a veteran educator and school principal with over 20 years of experience. Rob shares his personal journey of overcoming a life-changing car accident at 17 through Tai Chi and Qi Gong practices, which he now uses to help teachers and students, especially those with ADHD and anxiety, achieve calm, focus, and emotional balance. Rob discusses his transition from a ‘problem child’ to an educator inspired to become the teacher he never had, his innovative methods of engaging students, and the benefits of incorporating mindful movements and breathwork into daily routines. He also highlights the creation of his program, Move2Focus, aimed at reducing stress among teachers and promoting a more holistic learning environment.
Move 2 Focus: https://move2focus.com/
00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
00:16 Rob’s Background and Early Life
01:24 Living in Santa Cruz
02:59 Rob’s ADHD Journey
04:54 Martial Arts and Personal Growth
12:58 Life-Changing Car Accident
15:11 Healing Through Martial Arts
18:41 Transition to Teaching
23:28 Founding a School
26:38 Engagement in Education
27:27 Different Types of Intelligences
29:49 Challenges in the School System
31:37 Supporting Teachers and Students
33:34 Mindfulness and Movement Practices
34:36 Implementing Mindful Movement in Schools
40:06 Developing the Move to Focus Program
41:15 Morning Practices for Teachers
46:55 Coaching and Personal Practices
53:25 Conclusion and Resources
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